Cookeville Regional Medical Center has imposed its annual temporary visitor restrictions to reduce the spread of illnesses.
The restrictions prohibit those under the age of 16 and anyone showing signs of illness from visiting the hospital unless seeking medical attention. CRMC Director of Marketing and Communications Hannah Davis said the hospital imposed the restrictions as it has seen an increase in COVID and Flu cases.
“It helps us to protect our community, to keep our community healthy, to keep our staff and our employees healthy as welll so they can take care of those who are ill,” Davis said. “So it’s a very important thing for us to do for a short amount of time to get through the increase.”
Davis said CRMC will continue to look at the number of admissions before lifting the restrictions. Davis said imposing the restrictions is a tough choice that CRMC makes each winter.
“We like to allow people to come in and see their loved ones when they have someone in the hospital, and so it is hard,” Davis said. “But we know that we care enough about those people to make sure that they are taken care of and are safe.”
Davis said the hospital will make exceptions for those under the age of 16 to enter the birthing center. Davis said the hospital has not had many issues with people obeying the restrictions.
“We just really appreciate the support and understanding of our community,” Davis said. “We put these restrictions in place, and we know it is not always easy.”
The restrictions started on Wednesday and will be enforced until further notice. Davis said typically restrictions are lifted in early spring.